Top Highlights
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Substack TV Launch: Substack expands into live video with a new app available on Apple TV and Google TV, enhancing its focus on long-form video content from creators.
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Content Access: Viewing access through the app aligns with subscription levels, maintaining existing paywalls, while plans for previews of paid content for free users are in development.
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Creator Support: Notable media figures, like former CNN anchor Jim Acosta, view this expansion as a pivotal moment for independent media, despite mixed feelings from some long-time Substack users.
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Future Updates: The app will introduce audio posts, improved discovery features, and organized sections for different shows within channels, while still prioritizing written content.
Substack Launches TV App, Expanding Access to Video Content
Substack has taken a significant leap forward by launching a TV app. Starting today, users can easily install the app on Apple TV and Google TV devices. This move comes just 16 months after Substack embraced live video, which quickly became popular among its user base.
The app focuses on providing “reliable, high-quality viewing” for long-form videos. It offers video posts and livestreams from creators and publications that users already follow. Additionally, a “For You” section suggests videos based on algorithmic recommendations, enhancing the viewing experience.
One notable feature includes dedicated pages for each channel, making navigation simple. Access remains linked to subscription levels. This means if a channel limits videos to paying subscribers, the same restrictions apply on the TV app. However, Substack plans to introduce previews of paid content for free users soon.
Feedback has varied among users. Some see this as a revolutionary step for independent media, reflecting a shift in how audiences consume news. Others, however, express skepticism, suggesting the platform should prioritize written content. Critics argue that pivoting to video could distract from Substack’s original mission.
Despite differing opinions, the app provides an additional way to engage with Substack’s existing video content. For those interested, the Substack TV app can be easily found in the tvOS App Store or the Apps section on Android devices. Users can sign in by scanning a QR code with their phones, making setup convenient.
Overall, this development marks a new chapter for Substack, illustrating its commitment to evolving alongside industry trends while still catering to its core audience.
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